Repubic ofthe Philippines DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Poe DILGNAPOLCOM Cer EDSA cre Quezon Avene, West Taal, Quezon Cty sMENT OF Diy, Sete cesee 3g OFFICIAL %, FRELE. © Signature MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR Date. No, 2019-26 “Ya prconce sxeron so 409 qwo0™ To ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, ELECTED OR APPOINTED, WHO ARE CANDIDATES IN THE 2019 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS SUBJECT WARNING ON THE PAYMENT OF PERMIT-TO-CAMPAIGN PERMIT-TO-WIN FEES TO COMMUNIST TERRORIST GROUPS AND ITS ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS, THE ASG/BIFF/MAUTE GROUP, AND OTHER SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS ‘The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine ‘National Police received reports that the “Permit to Campaign” scheme is being/will be implemented by the Communist Terrorist Groups and their allied organizations such as the CPP/NPA/NDF and, in some areas especially in Mindanao, by the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters/Maute Group, and other non-state actors. Under this scheme, the aforementioned groups/non-state actors solicit money from candidates in exchange to allowing them to enter and campaign freely in the hinterland that are claimed to be within their influence, Some reports even show that these non-state actors upgrade their scheme into a “Permit to Win” which is more lucrative for their purposes. This scheme is clearly a form of extortion and is a defilementof the sanctity of the right of suffrage. Furthermore, this practice becomes an opportunity to these non- state actors to raise funds to fuel their campaign against the democratic way of life they wish to destroy. Hence, the Department, all local government units, and all law enforcers shall take measures to: 1. Ensure that all candidates and political parties are allowed unhampered entrance in every Local Government Unit;2. Ensure the peace and order in all areas, including those considered as hotbeds of insurgency, so that all candidates and political parties are given access to the electorate during the campaign period without intimidation or manipulation by any group; 3. Ensure that all citizens, desiring to exercise their right to suffrage, are allowed, and encouraged in, and their rights protected when, participating in political assemblies and meetings, and in dissemination and receipt of information on any and all election-related matters. Furthermore, the Local Chief Executivesof LGUs are enjoined to ensure that these manipulative schemes do not happen within their respective jurisdiction. The Regional Offices are also enjoined to disseminate information and education campaign materials against these schemes which may include empowering and informing the citizenry on how to initiate complaints against local officials who shall commit the aforementioned violations, In addition, the Departmentshall support the filing of the necessary charges Pursuant to the pertinent provisions of the Revised Penal Code and other pertinent laws and shallseek the disqualification of these candidates who shall be proved to have cooperated with these non-state actors in accordance with the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code. The same course of action shall be undertaken by the Department against those incumbent local government officials or employees who shall cooperate or give aid in any form or manner -- material or otherwise -- to these non-state actors without prejudice to the administrative cases that shall be filed against them. For the information and guidance of all concerned. EDUAI ANO. Sezeeay Pt © Fan